It’s finally happening. The biggest fight of 2017 is finally here.
Yes, I’m talking about Ruthless Robbie Lawler vs. Donald Cowboy Cerrone.
Of course, UFC 214 is also headlined by Light Heavyweight Champ Daniel Cormier facing his nemesis Jon Jones in a re-match that feels 25 years in the making. We also get a title fight between Cris Cyborg and a sacrificial lamb, and the welterweight title fight between Tyron Woodley and Damian Maia. All in all, this is one hell of a stacked card.
Main card starts at 10pm eastern on PPV, while the prelims are at 8pm on FXX and the early prelims at 6:30pm over on Fight Pass.
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Jarred Brooks will be a fighter mentioned in these DFS articles in the very near future, but this weekend I am running with his opponent, Eric Shelton ($7,600). Brooks pressures and throws a lot, but he also has a glaring tendency to leave himself wide open while on the attack – a hole that Shelton will capitalize on with a few well-timed, powerful, counters.
Andre Fili ($9,200) has had a tough run of late, but has also had a run of difficult stylistic matchups. This fight is not a difficult stylistic matchup and his diverse striking arsenal will give Calvin Kattar fits until Fili finally knocks him out.
Aljamain Sterling’s striking has improved somewhat, but wrestling is still his calling card. Renan Barao ($7,800), however, is still the same fighter that was considered a world beater before his loss to TJ Dillashaw, and he is still the same fighter that was virtually impossible to take to the ground. On the feet, Barao outclasses Sterling for a dominant win.
Jason Knight ($8,100) vs. Ricardo Lamas is a good pick for fight of the night, and you should probably get in on some of the action. While I can see a path to victory for both fighters, I believe that Knight has the more violent path to victory. Lamas has shown lapses in striking defense before, and Knight won’t miss on those opportunities.
The other horse in the FOTN face is the aforementioned Lawler-Cerrone scrap. Donald Cerrone ($7,700) is the pick here, both for the cheap price as well as the matchup. I’m not sure how much Lawler has left in the tank, and if Cerrone is able to keep this fight at kickboxing range (or bring it to the ground through takedown as Cowboy has shown a more recent tendency to do) he should be able get the finish.
Cris Cyborg ($9,600). Yeah she’s expensive. Duh.
BROEST BROS YOU KNOW 